Grateful

Lately I have been thinking about how God has blessed my life. I don't deserve the blessings, but He made the choice to give them to me. I believe there is a reason this has been on my mind so much. I think it is God trying to get my attention.
Like most, I tend to grumble and moan about what I don't have. Don't get me wrong I am very grateful, but I do go through times where I grumble about things I would like too have or the way I think things should be or hope too be. I believe Gods desire is for me to focus on what I do have. When I take time to reflect, I realize I have more than I deserve and if I want to get real honest with myself I have way more than I want or need. So what's the deal? Well, I get caught up in the business of life. Even though not a day goes by that I don't interact with God, I often miss out on finding time to be alone with Him. Isn't that pathetic? The one who created me, the one who has blessed my life in ways I could have never imagined, the one who died for my sins and I can't find a few minutes everyday to be alone with Him? Yeah, that is pretty pathetic. Yet, He still loves me and puts up with me,attempts to teach me lessons in life and picks me up when I fall down.
I am so grateful for His unconditional love. I may not act like it at times, but He knows my heart and for that I am very grateful!
I posted these pictures of Cami and Kennedy because it reminded me that we should all take time to slow down, be grateful and enjoy the journey!
Cami & Kennedy

Dustins Homecomings

For my friends and family who do not have a facebook, check the post directly below this one.

This is a video I put together for my son who just came home from Iraq. The first part is his homecoming a couple of weeks ago to his base and then home and the second part is random pictures since he enlisted and his journey to becoming a Marine. Sorry if the first part has some wobbly moments in it, I was excited!;) It was an experience I will never forget. Watching all those Marines get off the buses after serving our country it was both humbling and exciting. Yeah, I am a very proud mom! OOORAH!

Homesick

Encouragement

Adoption.If you are thinking, praying, in the process, waitng on a referral, have a referral or waiting for that long awaited travel call I would like to take this time to give you some encouragement. Even if this is not your first time to adopt, you still need encouragement!
We all know that Gods timing is perfect. He knew this was all going to take place a long time ago and He knew all along the day your precious child/children would come home. But we are human and even knowing this information doesn't always make the journey easier. We have waited so long to hold our precious child and the wait is excruciating. But that day will happen and when it does and that precious little one is placed in your arms you are going to forget the paperwork, the wait, everything. Those things are no longer important. What matters is that you have your child.
The things we want most in life usually take the most faith, patience, perseverance and prayer. If we want it bad enough, nothing will stop us. Adoption is not an easy journey emotionally or financially. It will try every emotion God gave us. But once you receive that long awaited, precious picture of you child you know it was all worth it.
Adoption is changing all the time. The rules, the requirements, the cost, but the one thing that doesn't change is the fact that there will always be orphans and those that can be adopted should be and for whatever reason those who can not be adopted should not be forgotten and we need to find ways to show them we care.
So, wherever you are in the adoption process keep your sight on not only where this journey is taking you but who is waiting for you at the end of it.

Suggestions please!

What to do? Three simple words that I can't answer. In my previous post I talked about being 50 something and the fact that age is just a number and an attitude of the heart. But I didn't mention that it is also a time where you reflect on your life. What you have done, what you are doing and what you are going to do. Have you, are you, will you make a difference? I hope that I have, I am and I will. God gave me some wonderful gifts and I want to use them all to make a difference in the lives of other, even if it is in a small way.
Hug Away is hanging on by a prayer, literally. It has two faithful monthly donors. 2 people who believe enough in Hug Away to give every month. I am so grateful for them. They are like my cheerleaders! But the fact is Hug Away will not survive if I don't find a way to generate more faithful donors. We have our fundraisers, but you can only have a couple of those a year because of the time it takes planning and they generate a one time income. I am so grateful for that one time but the fact is after we issue a couple of grants it is gone.
It breaks my heart to think that Hug Away may not survive and I will do everything I can not to let that happen. So I am asking for your help. Yes, money would be nice, but I also need suggestions. If you have not been to our website let me tell you what we do.
1. Offer grants to families who have been led to adopt.
2. Mentor adoptive families
3. Educate the community about adoption & orphans. We will got speak at your church, small group, business...anywhere!
4. Offer hope and love to orphans who will not be adopted.

Some other needs we have:
1.Someone who will faithfully keep our website updated. I have no clue how to get the grant letter downloaded and a whole bunch of other stuff I would love to do. I am not real savvy with wordpress.
2.God to open the way if it is His will for me to go to Ethiopia in October. This is a huge request both financially and for obstacles that stand in my way to be removed.
I am so passionate about these things and I want this foundation to make a difference in the lives of others. So....if you would like to donate go to www.hugaway.org
suggestions: hugawayfoundation@cox.net
We always ask and are so grateful for your prayers :)
Thanks for listening!

Why I do what I do


Being very uncooperative! ;)

Cameron (hmm...)

Kennedy

Cameron

Jordan


Jordan and her BFF from camp

Good Times!!

Waiting for Dustin!

Getting ready to meet my kindergarten teacher!


I have to say I never ever would have thought I would be taking my youngest daughter to her first day of kindergarten at the age of fifty something! The principal and secretary looked at me like "she's back?" Yes I am and I love it!
I love being a wife, mom, grandma and what some call a free spirit. I get the last one a lot. As a matter of fact, since I was in middle school that title has followed me. Back in the day I use to think of a free spirit as a flower child or someone who went to the beat of their own drum. Now, I see a free spirit as someone who has God in their life. I really don't worry about anything anymore. I pray all the time. I am not afraid to step out of the box. I want to use everything gift God gave me. I love being a free spirit.
Life doesn't always turn out the way we plan, but I trust God and know without a doubt if things don't turn out the way "I" plan God has a better way.
I like being fifty something and knowing that God still has great plans for me. Age is not just a number it is also about your attitude.
5,10,14,20,23 & 32, those are the ages of my kids. My husband and I will never experience empty nest syndrome and for that I am grateful. They keep us young, active and life is never dull. I am thanking God and having a good time!

Our newest Citizen of the U.S.A.

It took a lot longer than we would have liked but our baby girl is now officially a citizen! The last of step of the adoption process.

You know when I look at pictures of my daughters and their citizenship day It puts a lump in my throat. How different our lives would be if they were not our daughters.

I am an older mom and if they were not in our lives I would be...well, I am not sure but it would be just me and Mike. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we are so close with all of our kids that we don't feel the need to get away from any of them. We traveled alone for the first time in 20 years this past weekend. It was nice but we both felt like a part of us was missing. For those 3 short days we were gone it felt like forever. When we arrived at our house at midnight, there on our front door was a sign that said "We Love You!"
Yeah I like being an "older" mom and having a big family!
Congratulations baby girl!! We thank God for you!

Homecoming!

Hours spent traveling non-rev standby to see your youngest son return home from serving in Iraq? 28

Total flights you were bumped from? 9

Hours spent waiting for his bus to arrive on base in 110 degrees? 3 1/2

Look on his face when he saw his mom and dads face looking for him in the crowd? PRICELESS!!!!!

Thank you God for bringing Dustin back home to us safely!!